Life on the Deckle Edge

I’ll be rounding up throughout the day, so come on in and have a cup of hot chocolate or tea and enjoy all the great poetry posted today. Please leave your link and a short description in the comments.

Today, I’m celebrating that one of my poems appears in the current issue of LADYBUG . Several years ago, when we lived on a small farm, I encountered a beautiful fox where our yard met our woods. Weather-wise, it was probably much like today – chilly, with one season was making way for the next. I remember the fox and myself suspended in a moment of stillness just looking at each other – a fleeting moment that was gone as quickly as it came.

I wrote this poem from that experience and was delighted when it was accepted for publication at Carus. It was originally accepted by SPIDER, but they ended up not publishing it, and in the meantime the LADYBUG editor had expressed interest. Suffice it to say that after a few years of waiting, I’m thrilled it has found a home in the Nov./Dec. 2012 issue.

Even more thrilled that it is so beautifully illustrated by the talented Hyewon Yum , who kindly shared the original art above with us today. It's a linoleum cut print - isn't it perfect? Yum is an acclaimed author/illustrator of many books including: MOM, IT’S MY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN (2012), THE TWINS’ BLANKET (2011), THERE ARE NO SCARY WOLVES (2010), and LAST NIGHT (2008) all from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. More books are soon to hit the shelves, which she either illustrated or wrote and illustrated.

Many thanks to Hyewon for sharing her artwork, and to The LADYBUG/Carus folks for granting permission to post my poem for you today. Here it is:

GRAY FOX

by Robyn Hood Black

At the edge of winter,
at the edge of the wood,
at the edge of the brush,
a gray fox stood.

I took a small step,
I took a breath in –
then nothing was there
where the gray fox had been.

Click here for a link to the LADYBUG Teacher’s Guide. (It says October, but scroll halfway down and you’ll come to a couple of suggestions/questions re. “Gray Fox.”)

Thanks so much for coming by today, and here’s to appreciating moments and poems! (Remember to leave your link with your comments if you want to be rounded up.)

Oh – and if you’re a fiction writer, you might enjoy my column from yesterday over at Janice Hardy’s blog, The Other Side of the Story, in which I talk about writing mask poems as a way to get inside your character’s head. (Thanks to the lovely Amy Ludwig VanDerwater for loaning a poem for the post!) In 2013, my column at Janice's will move from the first Thursday of each month to the first Wednesday of each month (except Feb.).

Wondering how to start writing your next poem or creating your next piece of art? Susan Taylor Brown has a wonderful poem by David Whyte today, "Start Close In" - food for the creative soul!

At The Poem Farm, Amy offers an original poem from her SPARK 18 project to accompany Amy Souza's gorgeous collage. (If you had a grandmother like mine, "Quilt Map" will fill your heart.)

Join Tabatha for some touching low-tech communication celebrated in two delightful poems: "Father's Story" by Elizabeth Madox Roberts and "The Telephone" by Robert Frost.

Visit Heidi at My Juicy Little Universe for a new take on "Squandering" - an original poem inspired by a kindergarten teacher's comment during a challenging day.

Speaking of the classroom, over at A Year of Reading, Mary Lee has a simple and powerful original poem about teaching.

Take a moment to s-l-o-w down with a very clever original poem, "The Snail's Lament," penned by Liz at Growing Wild. She also offers a discussion of how she revised this poem - great to share with students (or others!) expecting to write a perfect draft the first time.

Laura, our resident Author Amok, shares the history of the haunting Coventry Carol, including a video of the Westminster Choir singing it. This thoughtful post literally gave me chills. (As Laura kindly points out, if you've recently suffered miscarriage or the loss of an infant, you might want to skip for now and come back at a later date.)

Our other Laura is in with a poem from David Harrison's newest book, COWBOYS. She's sharing "Stampede." (Does anyone else think she might be partial to that title?) ;0)

Also, Laura's got quite the lively party going on at 15 Words or Less Poems. Check out today's larger-than-life picture prompt and join the fun.

Margaret at Reflections on the Teche shares the most wonderful poems in a "Preposition Parade" today - her own poem and then several samples from students. (The kids came up with 50 prepositions as part of this exercise - can you??)

Another terrific teacher in our pack of poets, Betsy, takes a look back at warmer days with an original poem, "Summer Dandilion," over at Teaching Young Writers.

Steve is in today with a "thoughtful-wondering poem about chance events and parents getting older" at Inside the Dog. This is one of the sharpest poems I've read today - exemplifying this repeating theme of observing a moment. (Beautifully wrought, it has great prepositions we've been discussing, too!)

David's in with celebratory voyage of poetic nonsense (very cleverly crafted) at fomagrams. Happy Birthday, David! (I would like to note that my birthday is coming up next month and I am younger than David, though not by much, but I'm younger.) ;0)

Speaking of birthdays, Karen is celebrating Willa Cather's birthday today with the poem, "L'Envoi," which Cather wrote for Fr. Scott.

Lovely Sylvia has two offerings today: a list of more than a dozen books featuring poetry for Hanukkah (which begins this weekend) at Poetry for Children, and Constance Levy's fun "penny" poem with accompanying activites at The Poetry Friday Anthology blog.

At Paper Tigers, Marjorie offers a look at anonymous seventeenth-century English nonsense/puzzle poem, "I Saw a Peacock With A Fiery Tail," and a lovely discussion about Gond artist Ramsingh Urveti's stunning illustrations of it in a recent version published by Tara Books. Warning: I read this post and immediately ordered the book online. Yes, I did.

JoAnn Early Macken is here! She's a guest today at Teaching Authors with a student poem from WRITE A POEM STEP BY STEP, her new book which shares tips for teaching poetry gleaned from years of experience. AND, she's giving a copy away... so go sign up like I just did.

Little Willow at Bildungsroman has a gorgeous poem by Siegfried Sassoon, "Butterflies."

At The Small Nouns, Ben is also featuring Willa Cather's "L'Envoi" poem, and a discussion about careful planning versus shooting from the hip. Which way do you approach a task?

MotherReader has a glowing review of J. Patrick Lewis's new anthology, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S BOOK OF ANIMAL POETRY, with a taste of Robert Frost for you to sample. She dares you to click the "Look Inside" feature on Amazon and not end up buying this book. (I dare you, too.)

Break out the footy pajamas! Bridget has an original poem paying homage to the ultimate winter comfort wear at wee words for wee ones.

Remember all the madness this past March at Think, Kid, Think? Well, Ed has just unveiled "The Thinkier", a celebration in bronze to commemorate each year's poetic champion.

Matt is getting us in the holiday spirit with a poem celebrating Christmas trees from his winter collection of poetry, AND he has a lovely give-away offer. Of what? You'll have to click over to find out.

Any bugs knocking on your door for winter housing? Check out Jone's look at two bug poetry books at Check It Out for some fun with lots of legs, and some great classroom tie-ins to boot.

A hearty welcome to children's author Dia Calhoun, who ventures into Poetry Friday for the first time with a lovely original poem, "A Room With No View."

And in the Fashionably-Late-to-the-Party-and-Always-Welcome-Dept., we have:

The Write Sisters with (one of my personal favorites!) a wild Carl Sandburg poem, and an equally cool photo.

Donna at Mainely Write has been finding inspiration in lost gloves this week. Click the blog link for today's succinct and clever offering, and, if you want more, that poem's pink predecessor was posted on Tuesday. ("They have jobs to do while they wait," says Donna.)

Here's some more humor to transition into the weekend: Janet at All About the Books offers a taste of Douglas Florian's LAUGH-ETERIA. (You can't even get through this plug without smiling, can you?)

If, like Irene, you are searching for the perfect breakfast casserole recipe for this weekend, try this poetic little treasure she found in the back of a cookbook. Wishing you heaping servings.

An evening surprise:

Carlie at Twinkling Along shares a lovely cinquain about cherry blossoms in December. Yes, cherry blossoms!

Weekend Update:

At On Point, Lorie Ann has an original haiku this week - and you must see the accompanying photograph!

Comments

December 6, 2012 10:55 PM EST

Let me try again and feel free to delete my first post:

Robyn, your poem and the illustration are terrific! Thank you for hosting today. At NC Teacher Stuff, I am featuring a poem by JRR Tolkien:
http://ncteacherstuff.blogspot.com/2012/12/poetry-friday-cat-by-jrr-tolkien.html

- Jeff

December 6, 2012 11:03 PM EST

You are truly my favorite 'foxiest' lady ever. Congratulations on this publication! Well-deserved! For some reason these lines resonated with me a great deal:

I took a small step,
I took a breath in –
then nothing was there
where the gray fox had been.

Hand on heart. Aww. I've just written something which I called Mirage. Very similar to this theme. Love it!

Robyn,
Thanks for gifting us with your beautiful fox poem and also the illustration. Such a perfect capturing of a moment. I'm in with an old, old poem, "Mice" by Rose Fyleman, with brand new collage illustrations by Lois Ehlert. Perfect present for young readers!

- Carol

December 6, 2012 11:59 PM EST

Thanks for hosting today, Robyn! I have a winter poem at A Teaching Life:
http://tmsteach.blogspot.com/2012/12/poetry-friday-is-hosted-by-robyn-at.html

- Tara

December 7, 2012 1:18 AM EST

Hi Robyn! Your fox poem is exactly right. We often see a fox striding by our fence (by a park). They are so, so quiet. Congratulations on the publishing! I have an original poem from a wonderful phenomenon I saw yesterday & managed to take a photo of it. I was running around school getting people to come look!

- linda Baie

December 7, 2012 1:57 AM EST

Love the fox poem, Robyn. Thanks for hosting! I have 3 original poems to offer this week. A Yew Tree

http://mattgoodfellow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/yew-tree.html

Different Eyes

http://mattgoodfellow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/different-eyes.html

and a Ghost Bike

http://mattgoodfellow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/ghost-bike.html

best wishes,

Matt

- Matt Goodfellow

December 7, 2012 2:10 AM EST

Love the fox poem, Robyn! Congrats for the appearance in Ladybug!

I'm in with a poem by David Whyte called Start Close In
http://www.susantaylorbrown.com/blog/?p=5450

Thank you for the round-up

- Susan Taylor Brown

December 7, 2012 5:26 AM EST

What a beautiful hushed poem...and I would be so happy with that fox too! Congratulations! Today at The Poem Farm, I have the first half of my SPARK 18 collaboration, this time with Amy Souza - my poem is titled "Quilt Map." http://www.poemfarm.amylv.com/2012/12/quilt-map-spark-18.html Thank you for hosting! a.

- Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

December 7, 2012 5:27 AM EST

Hi Robyn! Great poem! Did you share it earlier? I feel as though I've enjoyed it before.

What a lovely moment for the youngest readers! We had such a one with a red fox who crossed our suburban back yard a couple of weeks ago. Half-way, he stopped, looked over his shoulder and pinned us with a daring stare right through the sliding door!

My OIK Tuesday this week has become my OIK Thursday/PF post...overheard from an adult this week!

Your poem is spot on -- a fox is there one minute and gone in a breath, leaving you amazed.

I've got an original poem today about teaching.

http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2012/12/poetry-friday-teaching.html

Thanks for hosting!

ML

- Mary Lee Hahn

December 7, 2012 6:11 AM EST

Robyn,
You captured the moment perfectly. I love the take a breath in and then the fox is gone. Silently. Thanks for sharing it.
I have an original, silly poem about a snail and some discussion of revising at Growing Wild: http://www.lizsteinglass.com/
Happy Poetry Friday!
Liz

- Liz

December 7, 2012 6:20 AM EST

Hi, Robyn. What a lovely fox encounter. They have such intelligent faces.

Today, I am looking at the history of the haunting Coventry Carol. The post includes a video of the Westminster Choir singing this unusual Christmas Carol. http://authoramok.blogspot.com/2012/12/poetry-friday-haunting-carol.html

- Laura Shovan

December 7, 2012 6:45 AM EST

What a beautiful poem. Love that quiet meter and the bits of repetition. I've only seen a fox in the wild a few times, and they, too, were gone that fast!

I'm in at http://laurasalas.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/stampede/ with a poem from David Harrison's newest book, Cowboys. The poem I'm sharing is "Stampede."

And this week's 15 Words or Less poems are at http://laurasalas.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/glassy/

Congrats on being in Ladybug! That's such a quality group of magazines. I'm going to look at it again when I go to the bookstore next. Lovely art!

- Laura Purdie Salas

December 7, 2012 6:50 AM EST

Congratulations on the publication of your sweet poem. I love the story that goes with it, too. Thanks for hosting Poetry Friday. I wrote preposition poems with my students this week. You'll find a model from me and some student samples. http://reflectionsontheteche.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/preposition-parade/

- Margaret Simon

December 7, 2012 6:54 AM EST

Love your fox poem, congrats on the publication! My poem is a whiff of summer. I have been writing so much about wintery things I had an inspiration from a print I saw the other day and wrote about dandelion seeds. Enjoy the day! Thanks for rounding us all up too.

Congratulations for publishing GRAY FOX! I think you've captured this moment perfectly in both words and artwork! I know what you mean about not even wanting to blink for fear that the world will have changed by the time your eyes open again. Thanks!

Please put me in the mix with a thoughtful-wondering poem about chance events and parents getting older.
http://insidethedog.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/like-an-arrow/

Robyn, congrats on the Ladybug poem! And thanks for hosting. My post is here.

- Karen Edmisten

December 7, 2012 9:26 AM EST

Hi, Robyn, thanks for hosting and for your perfect foxy poem! My post this week at PoetryForChildren features a list of poetry books for Hanukkah which begins this weekend and over at PoetryFridayAnthology we're highlighting Constance Levy's fun "penny" poem!

- Sylvia Vardell

December 7, 2012 9:46 AM EST

Congratulations on having your beautiful poem published - I think it captures so eloquently exactly what happens when you encounter an animal on a country walk. And waht a thrill to have it illustrated by Hyewon Yum - I love her work.

I'm in this week with a review of Tara Books' stunning I Saw A PeacockWith A Fiery Tail, illustrated by Gond artist Ramsingh Urveti - http://www.papertigers.org/wordpress/poetry-friday-i-saw-a-peacock-with-a-fiery-tail-illustrated-by-ramsingh-urveti/

Thank you for hosting

- Marjorie (PaperTigers)

December 7, 2012 10:06 AM EST

What a LOVELY poem!!!! Congratulations! :) e

- Elizabeth D

December 7, 2012 10:12 AM EST

Thank you for hosting and for the lovely fox poem. I love the repetition and the sense of stillness.

I'm a guest today at TeachingAuthors.com with a student poem from Write a Poem Step by Step and a Book Giveaway at http://www.teachingauthors.com/2012/12/guest-post-book-giveaway-and-poetry.html

Why wait in line to see Santa when you can stop by TKT today to meet "The Thinkier"!?! http://www.thinkkidthink.com/meet-the-thinkier/

-Ed

- Ed DeCaria

December 7, 2012 1:07 PM EST

[Robyn here - just popping in to say THANKS to everyone for playing along today, and for all your kind comments. e and Buffy, thank YOU for coming by and sharing in the fun. :0)]

- Robyn Hood Black

December 7, 2012 1:20 PM EST

Hi Robyn-- I fixed my post with my son's poem, so it shows up now! Thanks!

- charlotte

December 7, 2012 1:23 PM EST

Nice poem, Robyn! Congratulations on it being published with Caron, as well. I've yet to be able to get them to accept anything I've written...they seem to be a hard nut to crack! Today, I offer a Christmas poem from my winter collection, along with a little giveway: http://mattforrest.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/poetry-friday-not-so-easy/

This has been another stellar PF - I have whiled away several hours immersed in wonderful poetry - and I also wanted to say I've enjoyed catching up with your last few posts, Robyn - the woodcuts are beautiful and thanks for the links to all teh very tempting Etsy shops... And I'm so glad you have orderred I Saw A Peacock - I hope you love it as much as I do...

- Marjorie (PaperTigers)

December 7, 2012 2:04 PM EST

Hi, I'm new to Poetry Friday and have my first link
www.diacalhoun.blogspot.com The poem is title A Room With No View. Please excuse any newbie errors. Thank you so much!

- Dia Calhoun

December 7, 2012 2:18 PM EST

Marjorie, thanks for the kind comments! I've loved all the varied offerings today, too - will get around to commenting on them when I catch up a little later. Thank you for sharing that Peacock book - can't wait to dive in!

- Robyn Hood Black

December 7, 2012 4:14 PM EST

Wow. I am SO LATE to the party! Sorry about that.

The Write Sisters have a very cool poem by Carl Sandburg over at our site. http://thewritesisters.blogspot.com/

Happy weekend to you all . . .

- The Write Sisters

December 7, 2012 4:43 PM EST

I'm late posting! Wrote a poem on Tuesday that I was going to use, but then on my way home - voila!- another glove pointing to a turn off to the cove. So, short and sweet - another ode to a lost glove. They have jobs to do while they wait. http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com/2012/12/lost-glove-2.html

- Donna

December 7, 2012 5:41 PM EST

Congratulations on your Ladybug poem! I hate that I missed Poetry Friday with you today, but such is life at my house lately! I'll still try to read a few of these wonderful treats.

- Doraine Bennett

December 7, 2012 5:56 PM EST

Wow, just taking the time now that I'm home from school to read your post. Congratulations on being published in Ladybug! I love all those magazines -- they are such high quality. My kids have loved them at all ages.

- Ruth (thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com)

December 7, 2012 6:42 PM EST

Thanks for hosting.
My selection is "Laugh-eteria: poems and drawings" by Douglas Florian.

- Janet Squires

December 7, 2012 6:43 PM EST

Doraine, Hi! We missed you too - thanks so much for popping in to wave.

Thank you, Ruth - my kids loved those magazines, too, and it's been a long wait to see my name in one of them. Such an honor. Have a great weekend!

- Robyn Hood Black

December 7, 2012 7:32 PM EST

I love your Gray Fox poem! You should expand it into a picture... love the mood of mystery and beauty. Suits you, friend. xo

- Irene Latham

December 7, 2012 7:43 PM EST

Thank you, Irene! I think your post today is the perfect way to greet a weekend, so I added it to the line-up above. Have a great one.

- Robyn Black

December 7, 2012 8:43 PM EST

Robyn, Gray Fox is lovely. So simple, yet it paints a very clear picture. The repetition carries the reader along. Congratulations on its publication at last!

- Joyce Ray

December 7, 2012 8:57 PM EST

Hi, Joyce! Thanks so much, and I appreciate your coming by. We're both making the rounds leaving comments this evening... I think I'm following you! ;0)

- Robyn Hood Black

December 7, 2012 9:14 PM EST

Hooray for your fox sighting and for your poem being illustrated AND published! How exciting! I also really love your character exploration poetry suggestion. I have done very little writing poetry through another person's eyes. I think I might have to try that.

I have a post on my blog, Twinkling Along with an original cinquain about a moment of pink, December beauty. You can find it here: http://twinklingalong.blogspot.com/2012/12/poetry-friday-winter-cherry-cinquain.html

- Carlie

December 7, 2012 10:02 PM EST

Carlie, thanks for visiting and chiming in! And I appreciate your comments re. my post over at Janice's blog. Happy winter wonders to you and your boys.

- Robyn Black

December 9, 2012 10:27 PM EST

Congrats on your Ladybug publication. It's beautiful!
I was away so this is my first chance to share. At On Point, I have an original haiku, Book Birth. Thank you!